Quick Post:

…was a great person to work along with; expect more from her here on the blog.

Being a photographer allows you to interact with great people, with great talent and great vibes. I’ll be the first to tell anyone, our job as photographers is the best. The person I speak of in particular is one of my recent models, Ashley Hewlett.

Ashley was chosen as an event model for Roxy and she was the host model for a Teen Vouge event at Dadeland Mall in Miami, Florida.

I photographed these images about three weeks ago.

I’ve been looking at Surfing Magazine’s 2010 Swimsuit Issue, shot in Malibu and Puerto Rico by photographer Lauren Ward as well as the photography for the ad I saw for Reef in Surfer magazine.

Reasons why I look at those photographs and ads are because I would like to be shooting for those magazines someday and I need to study, to know what they are expecting.

There were a lot more photographs from Ashely’s shoot; two years ago I probably would have posted all of them. I became a bit more selective of what photographs I want to show out there.

A few problems I ran into that I’m going to fix:

Every photo shoot I’ve been lucky enough to walk away with a good image. Even if the image wasn’t what I had envisioned, I had manage to add a photo to my collection. Part of that comes from shooting  A LOT for practice. If you keep shooting you will learn what your eyes like and dislike.

Likes and Dislikes:

The photograph above was from the first locations. I wanted Ashely to think as if she was walking around doing her own thing, maybe on a vacation somewhere tropical and I took her to the side to take a photograph of her wearing her swimsuit.

Ashley’s modeling nailed the idea I gave her perfectly. My main concern every time I shoot a model in a swimsuit is to keep her looking sexy and at the same time keep her from looking slutty/ trashy.

The guy from the vendor was nice enough to let us photograph at the spot for about 20 mins. He even gave Ashley a hat he made. A portrait I took of him is sitting in my print box. Next time I go to that spot I’m going to surprise him with it.

On the view finder the images were looking nice – The poses were excellent, compositions were excellent, but my concern now-a-days is, background distraction.

To help easy my mind from breaking the computer screen when I viewed the images there,  I had to thank God (and the Photoshop Guys from Photoshop User Tv ) for some of the things I know in Photoshop.

I added a layer mask of Gaussian Blur and painted Ashely back into the foreground to somewhat make that busy background less distracting.

Mistake number two of the practice day:

The day of this shoot we went to a location on the beach. I wanted Ashely relaxing, laying out and enjoying her day at the beach.

People were around us on the beach looking ,we even had some people stop and take pictures of us working etc. but Ashley remained focused and nailed every image.

On location I thought it would be an okay idea to maybe have these people blurred in the background doing whatever the want as Ashely relaxed.

It was my fault not getting the image I wanted because I didn’t choose a place with less of a crowd for a shoot like this.  I’m happy with that mistake because now it will never happen again. Her being a model, I’m sure she didn’t mind the crowd drooling over how gorgeous she is.

The problem was that the background became to busy for what I was trying to capture. Maybe if I had Ashely laying out with her friends chit chatting or something I would keep the same backgrounds as before. In this case the photograph didn’t breath enough for me as to why I didn’t keep them and post them here.

As I looked back at Lauren’s photographs and saw her backgrounds with the models…ouch..let’s just say that I love my Nikon D300’s so I didn’t throw it on the floor. Moments like those make me was really upset with myself because I’m way too passionate but I control myself.

We lost a lot of light for what I wanted so it was time to move on to the next locations.

Here are two images I managed to escaped with..Ashely will be shooting again with me very soon again for me to capture that image I have stuck in my head. That day I will only be working on that image and capturing it. I will keep you updated.

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Victor Aragon of Miami International University of Art and Design scores the first goal at last game of the season. Yesterday the team fought with all they had unfortunately they lost 4-6. The new season starts September 2010 and I will be back on the sidelines photographing the games. (Click Images For Larger Views)

Shooting action in general is tough; the challenge of shooting it is what makes it fun for me. Throughout articles of this blog I mention that practice is the key to success for anything you want to be great at. I’m a commercial advertising, lifestyle, portrait and sports photographer. For practice as a photographer capturing action I’ve been photographing at Miami International University of Art and Design’s futbol games. Friends I encourage you to practice, practice, practice it’s the only way to get better.

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It’s late writing this and I was thinking about calling it a night but naw. I do care about the people who stop here to read what I have to say.

Photographing Soccer Games:
I’m going to keep this write up brief by sharing with you things I experienced the day making that image for Miami International University of Art and Design futbol team. Use some of the advice when shooting your next game. Hopefully my experience will help you feel a bit more comfortable if you are wondering how to photograph a soccer game or how to capture action.

This time of the year in Miami, Florida is extremely hot. The weather is something you should always take into consideration before shooting. It only makes sense to right? It’s really irritating wiping the grass off of my leg, wiping my face with paper towels (or my shirt) and trying to focus shooting the games at the same time. I learnt my lesson from shooting previous games. So to avoid that extra distraction: I wore flip-flops for my feet to feel comfortable in the weather, a tee shirt and long jeans because I sit on the grass. I took a small bottle of water with a towel to keep me hydrated and to stop the sweat from making me look as if I was out there playing on the filed.

For this game I shot my Nikon D300’s with the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5 – 5.6 lens. God I love that lens. Something I love to do before shooting anything is putting the camera in aperture priority mode then take a snap shot and letting the camera automatically decide its settings. It’s a comfortable starting point for me. From there I put the camera in shutter priority mode. Then I adjusted the shutter speed to 1/500^th of a second at F/9 and -0.3EV. 1/500^th of a second freezes action. My White Balance was set on direct sunlight, A-4 and the camera was shooting Vivid. Those settings allowed me to get a warm photograph with the motion frozen.  My ISO was set at 320. I start out at ISO 200 and adjust to what I feel is the best for me. When your settings are best for you the next thing to do is to wait for the moment and fire.

Good luck with your shooting out there!

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Follow Dwayne Tucker on Twitter of His Updates: Click Here

I appreciate the love I’m getting out there; thank you all! I’m a 21 year old photographer, I’ve been developing skills to improve my talent and I’ve been putting them into the practice of my passion for about eight years now. Along with that I’ve been sharing my love for photography with the community via this blog. I post stories of my photo shoots to share my experiences and I post interesting things I find out there on the Internet for us creatives.

Within the last few moths I’ve received many kind messages from people that find my work interesting. Those people are new to the blog, people I’ve meet randomly and new clients. I’m asked the same questions so I decided to write this article of the top five frequent questions that I am asked.

Q: How did you get into photography?

A: I started photography in high-school. I found out how much I really loved it after I saved up enough money to buy me a point and shoot camera. Lunch times at school I used to photograph my friends just to keep the memories. When I got home after school I used to upload the photos to one of those MSNGroups. People from school would look at them their and download, so I kept doing so. In my CR. year I became president of the schools yearbook club. Being a part of the yearbook club I shot some school events and after school sports etc. I went to the Savannah College of Art and Design after that and my professor Timothy Keating taught me that I can dive deeper into photography.

Q: What type of camera do you shoot and what type of camera should I buy?

A: Right now I’m shooting the Nikon D300’s. I’ve shot the Nikon D3’s as well it’s a great camera. When I’ve saved up enough for it or the Nikon D700 / get the clients to pay for the cameras I will invest then keep advancing my way to becoming a master of the Hasselblad . If you’re just starting out with photography and you’re sure this is something you want to stick with, then I recommend getting your hands on the Nikon D90 and starting from there. If you want to get some good shots to save etc. just a camera to practice with the Nikon D3000 is a good one. I’m NOT paid by Nikon to say that, as yet! I admit yes I’m a Nikon guy.

Q: Did you go to school for photography / do you recommend going to school for photography?

A: No. I went to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Miami International University of Art and Design to study advertising design. At SCAD I did a course of photography that helped as well. I believe if you want something bad enough the thing is to pushing hard and keep pushing hard until you get it. When I started out I used to take a bunch of photos and touch them up after I watch Photoshop User Tv or a tutorial on YouTube. Some of the things that I’ve seen on there I’ve came across in classes at college. There’s so much information on the Internet on at our finger tips to practice.

Q: What Inspires You?

A: The love for what I do is my main source of inspiration. I’m also inspired by: Bob Marley – the same love he had for his music I feel for my photography. He spread the love for what he did globally and to day his songs still touch people. Kevin Fleming – an internet entrepreneur and old college buddy of mine from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Kevin and I had the same speech and public speaking class at SCAD. He actually helped me start my blog.When I came out of high-school, html, css, and php was still a big blah to me; I don’t fully understand it and don’t plan to but Kevin taught me enough to make you read this. Scott Kelby – Scott is the president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. When I was in high-school in the Bahamas I remember spending my Sundays in my room practicing things I saw on Photoshop User TV (Scott owns that as well). I spent a day photographing with him back in 2008 when he came to the Bahamas and two days as his second assistant recently in on a shoot Miami. I can sit here and write a book about why I think Scott Kelby is awesome so to save boring you to death with my excitement let’s end on that note.

Q: What do you want to do with your photography?

A: I’m going to be that main guy in my area for commercial advertising, lifestyle, portraits and sports photography. The guys on top appear to be welcoming me; but no body likes to be replaced. When I’m in their position I don’t want some snotty nose kid like myself trying to take spot either; but I will welcome that kid to keep on trying. To get where I am going takes lucky breaks -being the right places at the right times and to keep on pushing hard. I would never tell myself that I am that top guy because I think it would make me lazy. Being second to the people
I look up to gives me reasons to push harder.

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Follow Dwayne Tucker on Twitter of His Updates: Click Here

Hey what up? If you haven’t check out Scott’s Photoshop Insider Blog today I have some important things you’ve missed!! 

“Hi Gang:

Just a quickie: We’ve got Bryan O’Neil Hughes, Photoshop Product Manager, as a call-in guest on our 1:30 PM EDT free Photoshop CS5 Webinar, and he’s going to be talking about Adobe’s JDI (Just Do It) initiative to enhance and improve existing features in Photoshop to make our daily lives easier (and there are a TON of JDI’s in CS5).

Here’s the link where you can watch us live, and we’ll be taking your questions on the air. Also, please help us spread the word about today’s show—everybody’s invited—it’s all free—and I hope to see you in our live Q&A forum where you can post questions. See you then!

P.S. We’re giving away another free upgrade to CS5 on today’s show, so don’t miss it!”

Check it out!

*On this blog I share: photography tips that I’ve learned, tips I’ve found useful when photographing clients and I share images that I photograph while on my journey of advancing my photography skills. Follow me, your new photography friend on Twitter today! @DwayneTucker (click to be transferred to my twitter page). If you are not on twitter please look at my sidebar for other free subscription options.*

I am a commercial advertising, lifestyle and sports photographer and I love everything about photography.

I felt as if my presence on the internet should expand because I have so much to share.

Meet Dwayne is my show coming Monday March 29th, 2010 (write it in your calendar) to bring to you, inspiration for doing what you love doing; because you love doing it.

I created, “Meet Dwayne“, to welcome you into my life with video for you to understand why I do what I do.

I am an artist. I feel as if art is about the artist and what’s going on in the mind. It’s about sharing the messages of the artist’s ideas to communicate with an audience.

When thinking about what exactly I want Meet Dwayne to display I decided, the show is not going to be one to show how to use the camera or showing off what’s in my camera bag.

I leave that for well known photographers to share with you and I.

In this show I am showing the making of that well known photographer with creditability and status to create those shows.

The Meet Dwayne show will:

- Help you understand me.

- Help you realize why I am extremely passionate about my photography.

- Show you that I am “normal”, “average guy” but I come with a fuck load of ambition.

Hopefully the show will inspire you.

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My Past Week In Photographs

(About to go to bed in the early a.m. falling asleep in the work clothes. This explains why my the next photograph, your sunrise, is and looks like my sunset.)

(Awake early in the a.m. and saw a photo opp so I captured it.)

(Let the day begin!!!!) / (When I look at my photographs I get a feeling that I can’t explain; well I could but you wouldn’t understand me. From 2007 I’ve been wanting to get the feeling that I got from this photograph when I nailed the style of the colors I wanted.)

(Remember the Pet Photography Project? We have to make small legal hustle somehow!)

(Stopped to chill for a bit and drop a hello to the staff at my favorite stake shop; Zumiez!)

(Totally Random but I want to share with you.)

(MIA skate-park in Miami, Florida is one of my favorite places to skateboard in Miami. After I am done skating I take some photographs of the skaters to help me develop an eye because I am aiming to shoot for Thrasher Magazine and Skateboarding Magazine. Besides, you can tell from the photographs that we always have a great vibe and great sessions at the park so I must document that.)

(Look at who is on the blog! That’s my sister Katrina Lomidze from the personal and make-up blog KatrinaLomidze.com She, the Fam (Jerrid and Baby JJ) and I went to dinner at Raphael’s; my favorite restaurant on South Beach for mussels and pasta!)

(Shay, Stevie and I. They are two beautiful models from the shoot I did on Thursday and Friday with the Photographer I looked up to from I was a kid, Scott Kelby!)

(That’s Mr. Kelby in the background not holding a big Oreo, but instead a grid He was explaining what it was for and when to use one for one of his new videos! Check out his post from behind the scenes in Miami with me, click here. – P.S. Jerrid from the Fam is the model in the first image of that post.)

More to come..

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With the economy in recession there’s not a soul present who feels comfortable delving into the topic of money. Unless of course you’re one of those paid individuals galavanting around. However, let’s pretend that you were a photographer. One of the least respected, artistic people in society. You have to approach a client whether it be business on a large scale or rather something freelance and minor. Your main concern is getting the job done adeptly and the funds that reward you for doing so. A client’s main purpose is to be granted top tier work while receiving the most feasible bargain. Here’s where the unspoken war begins. As I journey with you through the ins and outs of the “How much should I charge” battle, adhere to the process and soak up the focal points. It can prove to be vital in the imminent future.

A Random Day On The Job:

1. Invisible dollars are those which you pay the client. How the hell is this possible? (Smirks)  Well apparently the labor, electricity used, travel costs, particular lenses instituted for a shoot, and miscellaneous costs implemented through usage of cd/dvds and bandwidth is also taxing.

2. You spend most of your day viewing through your SLR lenses and crouching in awkward positions. As if this wasn’t tiring enough, wait until you venture back to the work place and commence with photo editing (at least if you were a hard working/beautifully obsessed/incessant fight type of photographer).

3. So you’ve actually become so stressed that you see fit to subconsciously cut a few corners. Your work comes out okay (wrinkles face with uncertainty and does “so-so” hand gesture)

The Week After:

Sally Armstrong that you performed the shoot for is having a discussion with a close friend of hers over brunch. She proclaims “Last week my company had some product shoots with this guy Dwayne Tucker from Dwayne Tucker.com. Although he’s a veteran in the photography industry and a photoshop professional he was surprisingly willing to give me a great bargain. Do you believe that he did the job for free? I loved it. He seems so adamant about the photography society and the perks that come along with being a pro photographer. (She proceeds to further document the shoot and gives her brunch mate a thorough walk through of its happenings) By the end of brunch Mrs. Armstrong has single-handedly convinced her colleague that Dwayne Tucker would do the exact same thing for her with proper coaxing. Now as a photographer, this spells disaster. Why may I ask? As a fledgling with your own photography business people tend to view that as a stepping stool to ask certain favors. Your job is to satisfy customers and gain maximum exposure. So ultimately you give in. A pattern commences and a chain reaction of more free shoots ensues. OH NO!

Hunker Down And Be A Man About It:

One must speak softly and carry a big stick. Ode to Roosevelt. So in all actuality it isn’t inane that you know your worth. It’s not ludicrous that you UNDERSTAND the costs surrounding a shoot. It’s not crazy that you don’t want to complete a free photo shoot. What do people consult a PROFESSIONAL photographer for anyways? (Smile begins to return)

Charge as follows…I’m not asking….rather telling:

Take into consideration:

-Talent. Whichin hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard. Bring them both to the table.

- Travel costs and gas mileage (also expect the unexpected aka flat tire).

- Equipment and studio supplies which include lighting , props, backdrops, last minute additions.

-Shoot duration and intensity.

- Correspondence(GRR!!! be ready for a pleasant war of words), editing, and the headaches associated with it. (Advil present)

-Delivery, packaging.

-Rights.

-Location fees (some locales charge for the utilization of their ambience).

-Helping hands associated with the projects need to be compensated. This affects future relations so make their time worthwhile. If you look at things on a much larger scale and desire to actually. blossom your operation into a force to be reckoned with then take pride in your first few employees. Treat others how you wish to be treated and you’ll expand tenfold. It’s simple doctrine.

Examine the prior guidelines and recall everything with clarity as you discuss photo shoot plans with a potential client. Every aspect should be accounted for. Attention to detail is highly important.  Pitch an unforgettable experience to all clients regardless of genre. Your pricing should be received with warmth. If all fails, then it’s back to the drawing board. What one client doesn’t do, someone else will. Stay stagnant in your approach.

Hey Friends! I wanted to get a quick blog in. I am on a boat right now in Bahamas about to get ready to head over to the Atlantis hotel for my New Years party with family and friends that are here over here This photograph was my favorite shot that I captured in 2009. Special thanks to my model Lesly Hernandez for helping me capture this photograph; we had so much fun on the shoot and captured great video footage, for my DTTV that you will hear more about in 2010

Everyone enjoy your night be safe wherever you are and I will see you all here again in the New Year. HAPPY 2010!!

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DT.

Feel free and BE YOURSELF. Gold Saturn tee shirts brings out the YOU.

GG

GG is a Venezuelan born Pop Art Artist. At eleven years old, he moved to the United States, making Miami, Florida his residence. Since childhood, he was a very creative person, involved in different Art events or anything associated with creativity and entertainment. It wasn’t until his high school years that he decided to invest ALL of his energy and creativity into ART. He started experimenting with drawings and then took on painting, Unsure of what style of painting to follow, he was soon drawn into POP ART, with a goal to be one of the best known pop art artists. GG continues his art studies at Miami International University’s of Art and Design in Miami, Florida. His work is based on a way of expression using characters, symbols and shapes, evolving into his many creations over the years. His inspiration springs from personal life experiences, feelings, emotions, goals and events that affect our environment in a negative or positive way. GG’s art work has been displayed for the last two years in a number of art galleries. He has been an eager participant in different fund raising events and exhibits.

His website is still in progress but when it’s ready I will slip it in a post here on the blog.

GG’s work is amazing! He’s going to be doing some work for my place in Miami for 2010 can’t wait.

Below is some shots from the exhibit I wanted to share with you. In 2010 GG and I are collaborating to create some creative historic pieces of art.

This is one of the funny videos that I see and I say to myself why didn’t I think of that first with my friends; you will get a great laugh out of this video. I saw it posted on Scott Kelby’s blog.

Joey L.,

I think we are going to have to do a remix LMAO; I will tell you like Scott did, if you get offended by obscenity then don’t watch the video.

Here’s The Link.